Formula 1
Reflections on 2016 – a rough ride for Renault on return to F1
At the start of 2016, Renault returned to Formula 1 after a five-year absence and launched its RS16 car alongside the aim of returning to the podiu...
Published: Jan 4, 2017, 6:08 PM
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At the start of 2016, Renault returned to Formula 1 after a five-year absence and launched its RS16 car alongside the aim of returning to the podium within three seasons, with wins and championships further down the line.
The team billed 2016 as a “transitional year” and downplayed expectations. Jolyon Palmer was set to partner Pastor Maldonado before he was replaced was replaced by Kevin Magnussen on the eve of winter testing, as the Venezuelan’s sudden lack of financial backing handed the Danish driver a second shot in F1 following his year with McLaren in 2014.
Renault made a solid but not spectacular start to the season with Palmer putting in a feisty drive in Australia before coming home 11th, one spot in front of the recovering Magnussen. After a poor showing for the whole team in China, Magnussen did give the Enstone-based squad something to cheer about when he scored its best result of season with seventh place in the Russian Grand Prix at the next round.
But the French manufacturer could not gain momentum from that result and it was another 11 races before it scored another point, which came courtesy of Magnussen in Singapore.
Both drivers also made errors and had big accidents – notably Palmer in Monaco and Magnussen at Spa. But the main problem the team faced was its regular struggle to escape Q1 thanks to the RS16’s under-developed Lotus predecessor and the last minute change from a Mercedes power unit to a Renault design.
Speaking to Autosport, Renault’s trackside director of operations, Alan Permane, said: “I won't be sad to see the back of this car. It is mentally tough to go into each race weekend with higher expectations than you know you're going to achieve, and then battle every week to get out of Q1.
"2015 wasn't so bad, but 2014 and 2016 have been really tough on everyone at Renault, so we're looking forward to moving up the grid. I hope we move everything up a notch and we'll be battling to get into Q3 or even comfortably into Q3 [in 2017]."
Magnussen vs Palmer
Most people expected more from Magnussen in 2016 as he had a rare second chance to crack F1. He looked like was set for big things early on – and his Russian result was impressive – but things went awry in the middle of the year and after an ultimately underwhelming 2016, he moves to Haas F1 for the coming season.
Palmer, who will drive for Renault alongside Nico Hulkenberg in 2017, put in a strong debut performance in Australia but was already having to fend off questions about being replaced by Renault’s former reserve driver Esteban Ocon before too long. But Palmer steadily began to improve and show what he has to offer in F1. He should have scored points a Hungary, where a carless spin cost him, but did deliver tenth place in Malaysia and performed well against Magnussen in qualifying over the course of the year.
What did you make of Renault in 2016? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below or head over to the JAonF1 Facebook page for more discussion.
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